§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and several Boards of Guardians in the Metropolis, have requested the Local Government Board to institute an inquiry into the expenditure of the eastern hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums District; whether such inquiry has been intrusted to Mr. Hedley, Dr. Bridges, and Mr. G. Taylor; and, whether the Local Government Board have declined to appoint a person experienced and skilled in the taking of evidence, and in determining the value of conflicting statements, and competent to conduct the inquiry in question, as provided by section 22 of the Act 10 and 11 Vic. c. 109; and, if so, on what grounds?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLWe have been asked by the Metropolitan Asylums Board and several Boards of Guardians to institute an inquiry into the expenditure of the Eastern Hospitals, and the inquiry has been intrusted to three of the Board's Inspectors, Mr. Hedley, Dr. Bridges, and Mr. George Taylor. These gentlemen have all had much experience in taking evidence. Since the arrangements for the inquiry were completed we have been informed by one of the Metropolitan Boards of Guardians that they have passed a resolution in favour of the appointment of a special Inspector for the purpose, and that they have forwarded a copy of it to the several Boards of Guardians in the Metropolis, and asked them to pass similar resolutions. We believe that three Boards of Guardians have expressed concurrence in their view. The Board, however, see no reason whatever for making any alteration in the arrangements as to the Inspectors by whom the inquiry is to be held.
§ LORD ALGERNON PERCYasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Local Government Board has appointed Inspectors to inquire into the expenditure of the Eastern Hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums District; and, whether it will be the duty of the Inspectors to discover the 153 evidence necessary to elicit the facts in respect of such expenditure, or how otherwise the evidence is to be obtained, and by whom the necessary witnesses will be examined, in order that the facts of the case may be established?
MR. GEORGE RUSSELLIt will devolve on the Inspectors to summon such witnesses as they deem necessary for the purpose of the inquiry, and the witnesses will be examined by the Inspectors on oath.